A milestone has been reached as a 25 year lease with the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds is now signed. Whilst the building takes on its new shape, there is much work to be done in planning for the operation of the future Community Centre. The Steering Group is working hard with potential new service partners to open up local educational, leisure, social, and community opportunities. In due course a new Management Committee, representing Community Centre user groups and the local community, will take over from the present Steering Group. Their task will be to develop the Centre as a home for existing and future users, providing services for the whole community. They will also manage, maintain and market the Centre in order to keep it in good financial and physical order. Darley will have a great new facility

Age Concern have today donated £1500 to the project, and the Diocese of Ripon & Leeds £2000

There has been a display in Christ Church hall since 30th November, and which will run until 31st December, that gives details of the project and a plan of the future Christ Church Community Centre.

This was kindly put together by Kath, Janet and Angela.

For those who do not usually visit the church hall, there was the opportunity to see the display from 10.30am-noon today. As can be seen below, many called by to enjoy a mince pie with members of the Steering Group, to find out more about what is planned for the new community centre and to join in with the usual Library Coffee Morning. Amongst those present were Sue Wood and Pat Kilburn from Harrogate Borough Council. Sue had kindly provided the green display unit.

Two very welcome Christmas presents for the Steering Group. The Charles and Elsie Sykes Trust from Harrogate have very generously donated £6500 to the project, and for which the SG is most grateful. In addition, members of St Saviour's Church, Thornthwaite, and friends, were out carol singing on two very cold nights this week and have very kindly given the proceeds - £280 - to the new community centre.
Last night was also very frosty, with a clear sky, and I was out watching the stars from my observatory at Reynard Crag.

Cheers and Merry Christmas to the Steering Group, who held their last meeting in the old hall at Christ Church yesterday afternoon. It was, finally, the opportunity to celebrate what has been achieved since October 2003 by a truly magnificent team. And boy, what a celebration. With Erica's Aga mince pies, Angela's mulled wine and other goodies which appeared along the way, everyone had a ball. A really great note to end the year on and so very well deserved. Everyone had fun! So very well done all you folks for all the good work you are doing for Darley and Lower Nidderdale. I might seem a bit of an odd character to most, but living close by I do feel a part of the local community. Wish I could have been there, but had a bit of tidying up to do in the den!

One funding application too many, for you know who? Or, the reaction on receiving the response from HTA!

Just cooking breakfast and started thinking about
all those delicious looking Christmas cakes and puddings that were on offer at the Craft Fayre in November. Missed out there, and wondered if there were any left? If not, do enjoy yours!

Seeing Christ Church in the background, one wonders whether Tom and Jerry are perhaps also celebrating the new life for Christ Church hall, or just being their own impossible selves!

Looking back
Local fund-raising

May 2004 - December 2006

Nearly there 2006

All go at Ascot 2005

Riderless horse! Ascot 2005

Recognise anyone? Ascot 2005

Show of colour 2005

And it did, raising £7,000
November 2004

Have hat and horse! 2004

Not another cake stall - better keep smiling as there could be more! 2004

Everyone having fun at the launch day
September 2004